A call is being made to plough more cash into Dumbarton Castle after it was revealed the tourist attraction is getting double the number of visitors compared to a decade ago.
Information also obtained by Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has also shown that the historic fort gets significantly less investment than other castles in the country.
Jackie made the plea to Historic Environment Scotland this week in a bid to ensure as much of the collection associated with Dumbarton Castle will be retained on site.
She said: “Dumbarton Castle is a much-loved community asset and also brings in tourism from across Scotland and beyond.
“Members of the Dumbarton Castle Society work extremely hard to promote this fantastic asset and their efforts have been rewarded with a huge increase in visitor numbers. Just think what could be achieved if investment was anywhere near the level enjoyed by both Edinburgh and Stirling Castles.
“I know that local people want the historic significance of Dumbarton Castle to be properly recognised.
"That’s why I believe that Historic Environment Scotland should increase the level of spending at Dumbarton Castle as the investment will have a direct impact on visitor numbers and ensure that the collection associated with Dumbarton Castle is retained there.”
We reported earlier this year how blockbuster Mary Queen of Scots was set to give the castle a boost in visitor numbers as the young queen hid there as a child before fleeing to France.
Figures revealed this week show 29,087 people went to the castle in 2018, compared with just 13,383 in 2010.
